Two from Odisha arrested for peddling mephedrone via gay dating apps in Ahmedabad

Ahmedabad: Online dating has long been a way for people to connect, but for some in Ahmedabad, it became a gateway to illegal drug deals. The city crime branch's Special Operations Group caught two men, both residents of Odisha, red-handed at a Navrangpura hotel with nearly 14 grams of mephedrone. The twist? They were allegedly selling drugs exclusively to clients, whom they approached via gay dating apps.
The two, allegedly, had zip-lock bags and a weighing machine, indicating they were running an organised operation.
According to a complaint filed by unarmed police constable Ajitsinh Gohilsinh, the SOG team was patrolling the Juhapura area when they received a tip-off from an informant. The intel suggested that two men from outside Gujarat were staying at a hotel on Ashram Road and were allegedly peddling drugs.
Acting on the lead, the cops swiftly moved in, securing the help of the hotel manager before raiding the room. Inside, they found the suspects: a 23-year-old from Dhanija village in Odisha's Ganjam district and a 24-year-old from West Bengal.
Upon searching their belongings, the police discovered nearly 14 grams of mephedrone, commonly known as MD, a highly addictive synthetic stimulant. Further investigation revealed that the two accused had set up profiles on gay dating apps, using them as a platform to connect with potential clients. "They specifically sought out individuals from the LGBTQ+ community, particularly those known to consume drugs," said SOG police inspector Vijay Joshi.
Joshi added that the accused had names commonly used for both males and females, a factor that may have helped them operate discreetly. "They had arrived in Ahmedabad just hours before their arrest on Friday morning. Their primary targets were users of gay dating apps. They would initiate conversations, arrange meet-ups, and supply drugs to those who expressed interest," Joshi explained.
The police are also probing whether the accused were engaging in other illegal activities, including offering sexual services. "There is a possibility that their dealings extended beyond drug peddling. We are verifying if they explicitly mentioned drug availability on dating platforms or if the transactions took place only after in-person meetings," said an officer close to the investigation.